Runners: Question about Pain

BodyRockerVT

Ok so obviously I expect SOME pain after running muscles moving etc etc. I am just worried I am doing it "wrong". My calves are REALLY sore. They are doing all right at the moment as long as I keep moving around but this morning when I got out of bed (after day 2 of C25K last night) I was quite sure I wasn't going to make it down the stairs.

Is that where the pain is "supposed" to be? Do I just keep stretching?

The only other thing that hurts a bit is my left ankle and that is only if I move it the wrong way and I am *guessing* could be related to the fact that my calf is so tight.

FWIW I am doing C25K and running in fivefingers. I have worn them around the house and out and about for 2 months now to get my feet accustomed to the "feel" etc and allow my muscles to adjust....so I didn't just take em off the shelf and have a run...

Thoughts?

Grimmerick

How long have you actually been running in the vibrams? If it hasn't been long it could be your muscles are sore because they aren't used to the stride of running in shoes without as much support.

trainguy917

If the pain is debilitating, you may be going too hard to start with. Make sure you get enough rest in between days of running. You aren't running on consecutive days, are you? If so, that's too much to start. Make sure that you have at least one day in between. Two if you are still really sore the second day.

chattychick

For beignning runners five fingers may not be the way to go. (I am not an expert so take what I say with a grain of salt). When your feet have been used to one type of shoe and you switch to something so radically different it can throw off everything about how you run. You may want to consider running in good old running shoes and see if that helps. It is worth a try, right?

BodyRockerVT

I am afraid I did the last two days. I am doing a weight program with weights one day and cardio the next...and I started C25K on a weights day...so I did it 2 days in a row to "match up" with the routine.

I don't plan to do it today but I am hoping to do it tomorrow AM as it is suppose to get to 90 here tomorrow and I want to run early before it gets too hot.

Maybe the extra rest will help.

Boladefuego326

If the pain is debilitating, you may be going too hard to start with. Make sure you get enough rest in between days of running. You aren't running on consecutive days, are you? If so, that's too much to start. Make sure that you have at least one day in between. Two if you are still really sore the second day.

How long have you actually been running in the vibrams? If it hasn't been long it could be your muscles are sore because they aren't used to the stride of running in shoes without as much support.

I agree with them both

BodyRockerVT

For beignning runners five fingers may not be the way to go. (I am not an expert so take what I say with a grain of salt). When your feet have been used to one type of shoe and you switch to something so radically different it can throw off everything about how you run. You may want to consider running in good old running shoes and see if that helps. It is worth a try, right?

I considered that but I don't really wear shoes haha. I go barefoot in the summer or toss on flip flops if I am going somewhere that requires shoes...and in the winter I wear my ugg slippers or my winter trecker things. I got the five fingers this summer so I could be "barefoot" all the time...so they are actually the most worn shoe in my house right now.

BodyRockerVT

Sorry double post

BodyRockerVT

I have been actually running in the vibrams 2 days....and actually running 2 days haha. So I am a total newb. I tried C25K last winter on the treadmill and ended up with SAD knees using Nike frees. So far no pain at all in my knees, so that is a big plus...I just can't get a natural gait on the treadmill.

scottb81

Calf soreness is normal at first..Give it a day or two of rest and you should be ok.

(597 miles running in vibrams this year)

BodyRockerVT

WOW! That is a lot of miles!

Now REALLY feel like a newb.

rybo

calf soreness is to be expected in the vibrams, especially if you run consecutive days. Took me several weeks before I could run back to back in them.
Just stick with it, but try every other day for a week or so.

rybo

calf soreness is to be expected in the vibrams, especially if you run consecutive days. Took me several weeks before I could run back to back in them.
Just stick with it, but try every other day for a week or so.

BodyRockerVT

calf soreness is to be expected in the vibrams, especially if you run consecutive days. Took me several weeks before I could run back to back in them.
Just stick with it, but try every other day for a week or so.

Great to know! Thanks! I will keep at it then. C25K is every other day so I should be good from here on out...hopefully.

KnittingKat

You are lucky! I have shoe envy! I want to try a pair to see if they would help me, but I can't afford them (saving up for a new bed right now) I am a barefoot kind of person unless I am cleaning the playroom. I have stepped on a rock and a lego recently with the same heel, both on solid surfaces.

gremlet

I have stepped on a rock and a lego recently with the same heel, both on solid surfaces.

OUCH! Lego hurts a whole lot!

But be thankful you don't have these plugs in the US. Stepping on an upturned one hurts like you would not believe!